MILLINGTON, Tenn. – As Americans reflect on the service of military men and women this Veterans Day, some may not realize that they are fellow residents with those who serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
Senior Chief Petty Officer Joseph Paterniti, a resident of Everett, Washington, supports and defends freedom around the world, as a Navy hospital corpsman who is responsible for ensuring sailors are up to date on all medical and dental requirments.
Paterniti is a 1983 Bothell Senior High School graduate and native of Bothell, Washington. Paterniti also earned a degree from University of Washington in 1990 majoring in microbiology
Reservists seamlessly support and actively aid military missions while continuing to lead their own independent lives in the civilian world, according to Navy officials.
“The Navy Reserve is a 100K strong team of sailors embedded across the fabric of society, loyal and dedicated patriots, serving both in uniform and civilian jobs, ready to defend the homeland and deploy across the world in a moment’s notice,” said Vice Adm. Luke McCollum, Chief of Navy Reserve.
The Navy Reserve provides strategic depth to America’s Navy as it protects the American homeland and advances economic prosperity by preserving freedom of the seas.
Paternity finds himself sacrificing for his Navy life but gains additional skills to use while working in the civilian service.
“I often sacrifice a work opportunity because of military duty. I often have to decide which to give my limited time and energy to. I have to budget these things like money,” said Paterniti. “The trade off is that my two jobs give me skills that make me better at the other. Even more difficult is balancing home life. I try to include my family in work and military social activities so that they feel a part of the extended family I get from them. I also try to keep in mind the difference between success and fulfillment in my career decision making process. Serving requires sacrifice but is worth it if it brings a feeling of fulfillment. This requires mindful decisions.”
As a Navy reservist, Paterniti serves as the senior enlisted leader with Volunteer Training Unit 2205G which provides senior leadership and expert training and support to other active and reserve commands throughout the Navy.
Paterniti is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Paterniti is most proud of serving in combat alongside Marines and Navy corpsmen as well as seeing the success of his sailors that have gone on to become chief petty officers and officers.
“I deployed to Iraq with the Marines,” said Paterniti. “The success of my sailors they would have done on their own, but I'm blessed to have been there to help coach and mentor them along the way.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Paterniti who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Paterniti is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“I've had several family members who served in the military,” said Paterniti “My grandfather was a Navy fighter pilot in World War II. He was a father figure to me growing up. I learned the value of serving our country and my community through him. I always looked up to him and tried to emulate him. I hope I made him proud.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Paterniti and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I learned much of what have become my own core values from my experience with the Navy and Marine Corps,” added Paterniti. “It is because of this that I feel connected and relevant in this world. The Navy allowed me to travel the world, learning valuable skills and lessons along the way. I have tried my very best to help others wherever I have gone. I am proud to have done my part protecting other's rights of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. The spirit of serving is about others, not self. But the reward is that sense of purpose and belonging. And that sense of family.”
Paterniti is a 1983 Bothell Senior High School graduate and native of Bothell, Washington. Paterniti also earned a degree from University of Washington in 1990 majoring in microbiology
Reservists seamlessly support and actively aid military missions while continuing to lead their own independent lives in the civilian world, according to Navy officials.
“The Navy Reserve is a 100K strong team of sailors embedded across the fabric of society, loyal and dedicated patriots, serving both in uniform and civilian jobs, ready to defend the homeland and deploy across the world in a moment’s notice,” said Vice Adm. Luke McCollum, Chief of Navy Reserve.
The Navy Reserve provides strategic depth to America’s Navy as it protects the American homeland and advances economic prosperity by preserving freedom of the seas.
Paternity finds himself sacrificing for his Navy life but gains additional skills to use while working in the civilian service.
“I often sacrifice a work opportunity because of military duty. I often have to decide which to give my limited time and energy to. I have to budget these things like money,” said Paterniti. “The trade off is that my two jobs give me skills that make me better at the other. Even more difficult is balancing home life. I try to include my family in work and military social activities so that they feel a part of the extended family I get from them. I also try to keep in mind the difference between success and fulfillment in my career decision making process. Serving requires sacrifice but is worth it if it brings a feeling of fulfillment. This requires mindful decisions.”
As a Navy reservist, Paterniti serves as the senior enlisted leader with Volunteer Training Unit 2205G which provides senior leadership and expert training and support to other active and reserve commands throughout the Navy.
Paterniti is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Paterniti is most proud of serving in combat alongside Marines and Navy corpsmen as well as seeing the success of his sailors that have gone on to become chief petty officers and officers.
“I deployed to Iraq with the Marines,” said Paterniti. “The success of my sailors they would have done on their own, but I'm blessed to have been there to help coach and mentor them along the way.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Paterniti who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Paterniti is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“I've had several family members who served in the military,” said Paterniti “My grandfather was a Navy fighter pilot in World War II. He was a father figure to me growing up. I learned the value of serving our country and my community through him. I always looked up to him and tried to emulate him. I hope I made him proud.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Paterniti and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I learned much of what have become my own core values from my experience with the Navy and Marine Corps,” added Paterniti. “It is because of this that I feel connected and relevant in this world. The Navy allowed me to travel the world, learning valuable skills and lessons along the way. I have tried my very best to help others wherever I have gone. I am proud to have done my part protecting other's rights of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. The spirit of serving is about others, not self. But the reward is that sense of purpose and belonging. And that sense of family.”